06: Ethics and biomedicine: Analysis of decisions and value judgements

The seminar will have two focuses, one on biomedical and genetic topics and their ethical implications and another one addressing the ethical reflection of the practical and clinical reality of modern health care. The first focus mainly is in the hands of Professor Markus Hengstschläger, whereas Professor Stella Reiter-Theil is in charge of the second.
Schedule:1. Pro and Cons: Genetic diagnosis on the human embryo/fetus
2. Beginning of life / neonatology – Ethical guidelines for hard choices (with case discussions)
3. Ethics in a Public Health perspective: Availability of resources / Radiological screening
4. Human stem cell research: A biological and ethical dilemma?
5. Individual, social and ethical aspects of genetic diagnosis (with case discussions)
6. Decisions at the end of life: Patient Rights and the role of relatives at the bedside

Academic degrees in philosophy and psychology / University of Tübingen. Researcher and lecturer (ethics of psychotherapy) / University of Vienna. Training in psychotherapy. Heinz Maier Leibnitz Award for Practical Philosophy. Habilitation for medical ethics. Leadership/positions in medical ethics: University of Göttingen and University of Freiburg / Germany; University of Basel / Switzerland. Chair of numerous international conferences, including clinical ethics and consultation. Advisor in national and international ethics committees: Ethics Council, German Health Department; Senate: Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS); CIOMS/WHO. Present position: Director, Department for Medical and Health Ethics, Medical Faculty Basel: Interdisciplinary research in medical and health ethics, director of Ph.D.-programme, teaching in the medical curriculum Basel. Independent ethical advisor to the European project SAYLE/7. EU Framework, and international advisory board member to the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research. Expert for numerous international research funding institutions